21 December 2013 - Lowood Showgrounds, Lowood, Queensland

Lowood Railway Station

We woke to the bluest skies promising yet another sizzling day but despite the heat, we headed off after breakfast with nothing but sturdy shoes, a couple of full water bottles (and, of course, our clothes). Today was to be the first of many conquering the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail; part of the Fernvale to Lowood section.

Trees full of flying foxes

The 148 kilometre rail trail is all that is left of the rail that linked Ipswich with Yarraman on top of the Great Dividing Range near Nanango, constructed in various stages spanning the years 1884 through to 1913 but decommissioned in 1988. In 1993 work commenced on ripping up the track and almost every other reminder that trains once passed this way, which in retrospect was very short sighted of the authorities, particularly given that the concept of rail trails for recreational use was already about.

I was surprised to find the trail at the Lowood railway station still a jumble of criss-crossing rail lines, however soon found that these have been left to remind what was once here. Just a few hundred metres on, the trail became as you would expect, a wide gravel trail suitable for cycling, walking or horse riding. This particular section is just 8.5 kilometres, but still a distance too far in this heat. We walked toward Fernvale for an hour and a quarter; from the literature it would seem another half hour would have got us all the way. Perhaps we will do that last bit from Fernvale another day. The track as wide as it is, offers little in the way of shade, and is therefore less favoured by us than a forest walk. However it is our challenge for the next few weeks, so I will no doubt have more to say about this.

Brisbane River

Just east of Lowood, the trail, which follows the road most of the way, another feature that detracts from the charm of a country ramble, passes a copse of river side trees, full of flying foxes, these resting critters all hanging upside down like dark Christmas bells. Today few were restless, most were heat drugged. The same corridor is apparently home to koalas, however it was not until we returned home and read the pamphlet that we learned this was so. Had we paid attention, we might have enjoyed that bonus; perhaps a special outing to spot the koalas can be organised for another day.

Despite the “ordeal” of walking under the intense sun, we enjoyed the picturesque farm lands of the valley and marvelled at the railway cuttings stabilised with dry-stone itch rock and brick walling, or at least that which remained on view. We look forward to doing another stage although it would be more sensible to set out at about 7 am rather than just before nine.

Long straights in the sun

Needless to say the afternoon has been spent in a most sedentary fashion, enjoying the weekend papers, a small Nana-nap and readying ourselves mentally for party-time at the showground. The local Darts Club is having its Christmas “do” here tonight; the trestle tables are dressed in white, the glasses laid out, the sound system checked, now to wait for the revellers!